Wrestling | 1/11/2026 7:24:00 PM
CHADRON, Neb. (Jan. 11, 2026) - The Texas Woman's wrestling team opened the 2026 calendar year this past weekend in Chadron, Neb., competing in three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference duals against Adams State, Minot State and Chadron State, followed by the Chadron Open.
The Pioneers posted a 2-1 mark in dual competition, earning a 28-20 victory over the Grizzlies before defeating the Beavers, 28-15. TWU closed the day with a narrow 26-20 loss to host Chadron State in a tightly contested dual.
TWU carried their momentum into Sunday's Open, where five Pioneers placed among the top five in their respective weight classes. The group included two first place finishes, two runner-up performances and one third place result.
Maegan Flaherty and Samaria Barnett each captured their first tournament titles of the season. Flaherty went 4-0 on the day at 160 pounds, securing the championship with a technical fall victory over teammate Poorna Babu. Babu finished second in the bracket with a 3-1 record.
Freshman Barnett continued her standout debut campaign with a perfect 4-0 showing at 180 pounds to claim first place. Ranked ninth nationally entering the weekend, Kitana Leofatato placed second after a close 4-2 decision loss to No. 8 Esther Peters of Chadron State.
Mackenzie Blue added a third place finish at 145 pounds, rebounding from a mid-tournament loss to win her final bout and conclude the weekend with a 4-1 record.
IMPACT WRESTLERS (Chadron - Sunday)
KEY PIONEER MATCHES (RMAC Duals & Chadron Open)
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124: Brooke Zejada went a perfect 3-0 in RMAC dual action, earning a fall against Adams State, a forfeit win versus Minot State and a dominant 10-0 technical fall over Chadron State's Ana Rojas Zamora. Zejada scored key team points in all three duals.
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145: Blue delivered strong performances for the Pioneers, recording falls against Adams State and Chadron State. Her win against the Eagles helped keep TWU within striking distance in the final dual of the day.
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Babu and Flaherty anchored the middleweights for TWU. Babu earned a 47-second fall against Adams State and a quick technical fall versus Minot State, while Flaherty added a statement technical fall against Chadron State.
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180: Barnett continued her dominant freshman season, finishing 3-0 in dual competition. She recorded a technical fall against Adams State and pinned opponents from Minot State and Chadron State.
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207: Leofatato went 2-1 in RMAC duals, collecting a forfeit win against Adams State and a pin over Minot State's Madilyn Schuck. She closed the day with a hard-fought decision loss to Peters of Chadron State in one of the closest matches of the dual.
FROM HEAD COACH RANDI MILLER
"We had a strong tournament this weekend and got to see some great competition as we head into the postseason qualifications," Head Coach Randi Miller said.
NEXT UP
The Pioneers continue their road stretch Wednesday, Jan. 14, traveling to Abilene, Texas, to face McMurry at 5 p.m.
-PIONEERS-
